By our correspondent in Male’

The dhoni from Addu which left for Male’ on Monday carrying people wishing to participate in MDP’s November 10 demonstration has been raided by the Coast Guard at sea and a number of people have been arrested and taken to the Coast Guard vessel.

Coast Guard first intercepted the dhoni early Tuesday near Huvadhu Atoll. Despite threats to sink the dhoni, the people refused to stop their journey. A Coast Guard vessel allegedly came near the dhoni almost capsizing the smaller vessel from the wake. On Tuesday, drama reached higher levels when Coast Guard prevented the dhoni from entering the harbour of Kolamaafushi island in Gaafu Alifu Atoll for refueling. A dhoni from Kolamafushi which came with food, water and fuel was prevented from reaching the Addu dhoni. The Addu dhoni had to anchor near an uninhabited island close to Kolamafushi.

The plight of the dhoni was communicated to the rest of the country through phone calls and SMS. As the case received publicity Coast Guard tried to cover up the case. Afzal, a Coast Guard official, appeared on television denying reports that the dhoni was attacked at sea. However, he claimed that Coast Guard will curb all ‘illegal’ attempts to reach Male’ for the November 10 demonstration. He said that the government has clearly stated that the planned demonstration is illegal and that it was the duty of the Coast Guard to assist the government.

The dhoni was allowed to travel later on Tuesday but Coast Guard resumed its bullying when the dhoni was traveling through Huvadhu Channel, the largest open channel in the Maldives, located between Gaafu Alifu Atoll and Laamu Atoll.

Coast Guard is believed to have raided the vessel near Thaa Atoll. People are believed to be injured because of the confrontation. Exact number of people who have been taken to the Coast Guard vessel is unknown. Previous reports say the dhoni was carrying 54 people including a few women and children.

Reports say that the people who have been arrested include some of the most leading activists from Addu Atoll such as Abdulla Rasheed (IC), Ahmed Zahid and Dhagada. Ameen Faisal, the President of the MDP Male’ ‘Dhaaira’, and Abbas Adil Riza, President of the Kuda Hennveyru cell of MDP, are two high profile politicians believed to be arrested from the dhoni. In fact, the reason why Coast Guard has been so determined to stop the dhoni is to apprehend those high profile activists and politicians before the November 10 demonstration.

The involvement of Huravee, a naval patrol vessel gifted by India to the Maldives, in the operation has caused much criticism of India’s policy of providing military assistance to the 28-year-old regime of Maumoon Abdul Gayoom. Critics say their fears that military assistance from India will be used to curtail opposition and suppress dissent have been proved right.

There are reports that the police are now searching in Addu for a number of other activists whom they think would organize resistance in Addu.